Robert Sidney Bowen
Encyclopedia
Robert Sidney Bowen, Jr. (1900 – April 11, 1977) was a World War I aviator, newspaper journalist, magazine editor and author who was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died of cancer in Honolulu, Hawaii
at the age of 76. He is best known for his boys' series books
written during World War II, the Dave Dawson War Adventure Series
and the Red Randall Series
. He also worked under the name R. Sidney Bowen and under the pseudonym James Robert Richard.
in World War I. He then lied about his age and enlisted in Great Britain's
Royal Flying Corps
where he was trained by Vernon Castle. He saw combat over France but achieved no victories despite claims of shooting down eight enemy airplanes and balloons
.
After the war ended in 1918, he began working as a journalist for the London Daily Mail, the Paris edition of the Chicago Tribune
, and two Boston newspapers.
For several years (until the 1930s), Bowen was editor-in-chief of Aviation Magazine. He also worked as an editor for Flying News and several motor magazines.
. Twelve issues were released, the first eleven published monthly from July 1934 through July 1935, with most issues released monthly. Bowen continued writing for mystery, adventure, sports, and aviation pulp magazines through the 1950s.
After the invasion of Poland
by Germany in 1939 sparked World War II, Crown Publishers
called Bowen, asking for an adventure story based on the war. The Dave Dawson series, also known as the War Adventure series, was the result. Bowen got to work immediately, and the first book, Dave Dawson At Dunkirk, was published in 1941. A total of 15 volumes were released between 1941 and 1946.
As of 1945, the series had sold over 2,000,000 copies. Bowen was earning 2 cents per copy sold, netting him nearly $10,000 a year. All volumes, except for the scarce final volume, were subsequently reprinted (with cheaper quality and prices) by Saalfield Publishers in Akron, Ohio
.
Inspired by the success of the Dave Dawson books, Crown's competing publisher Grosset & Dunlap
hired Bowen to write a similar series for them. The Red Randall series debuted in 1944, selling 200,000 copies its first year.
During this time, Bowen lived in Wilton, Connecticut
, writing seven days a week, from 9 to 5, in an office that he rented over an old garage. He averaged 10,000 words per day, and could complete a novel in ten days. He also never revised his work, believing that any tampering with the story would ruin it.
After the war, Bowen turned to writing books aimed toward adolescent boys, on topics such as aviation, cars, and baseball. He also began writing books about horses under the pseudonym James Robert Richard. Most of the books he wrote during this period were published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard. Many of his baseball books were later reprinted by Grosset & Dunlap
in their series of "Famous Sports Stories." Most of his other books were published by Chilton, Whitman Publishing, Criterion.
Robert Sidney Bowen and his wife, Mary Ann, had three sons and one daughter, and, at the time of his death, eight grandchildren.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
at the age of 76. He is best known for his boys' series books
Book series
A book series is a sequence of books having certain characteristics in common that are formally identified together as a group. Book series can be organized in different ways, such as written by the same author, or marketed as a group by their publisher....
written during World War II, the Dave Dawson War Adventure Series
Dave Dawson War Adventure Series
The Dave Dawson War Adventure series is a fifteen book series of boy's adventure stories pertaining to the European and Pacific theatres of World War II. Written between 1941 and 1945, by R. Sidney Bowen the books follow the adventures of American RAF pilot Dave Dawson, and his fellow flyer, Freddy...
and the Red Randall Series
Red Randall Series
The Red Randall series was a 1940s, boys war adventure series by R. Sidney Bowen. Like the Dave Dawson War Adventure Series the series pertained to World War II specifically the Pacific Theatre of the war. The main character, Red Randall serves throughout the book series as a military aviator...
. He also worked under the name R. Sidney Bowen and under the pseudonym James Robert Richard.
Before Becoming An Author
At the age of 14, Bowen left high school to drive an ambulance for the French ArmyFrench Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
in World War I. He then lied about his age and enlisted in Great Britain's
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
where he was trained by Vernon Castle. He saw combat over France but achieved no victories despite claims of shooting down eight enemy airplanes and balloons
Balloon (aircraft)
A balloon is a type of aircraft that remains aloft due to its buoyancy. A balloon travels by moving with the wind. It is distinct from an airship, which is a buoyant aircraft that can be propelled through the air in a controlled manner....
.
After the war ended in 1918, he began working as a journalist for the London Daily Mail, the Paris edition of the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, and two Boston newspapers.
For several years (until the 1930s), Bowen was editor-in-chief of Aviation Magazine. He also worked as an editor for Flying News and several motor magazines.
As An Author
Bowen turned to writing in 1930, using his prestige as editor-in-chief of Aviation Magazine to write "Flying From The Ground Up," a non-fiction work on how to fly an airplane. He began freelancing for pulp magazines. In 1934, he started his own pulp magazine, Dusty Ayres And His Battle Birds, for Popular PublicationsPopular Publications
Popular Publications was one of the largest publishers of pulp magazines during its existence, at one point publishing 42 different titles per month. Company titles included detective, adventure, romance, and Western fiction. They were also known for the several 'weird menace' titles...
. Twelve issues were released, the first eleven published monthly from July 1934 through July 1935, with most issues released monthly. Bowen continued writing for mystery, adventure, sports, and aviation pulp magazines through the 1950s.
After the invasion of Poland
Invasion of Poland (1939)
The Invasion of Poland, also known as the September Campaign or 1939 Defensive War in Poland and the Poland Campaign in Germany, was an invasion of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and a small Slovak contingent that marked the start of World War II in Europe...
by Germany in 1939 sparked World War II, Crown Publishers
Crown Publishing Group
-External links:*...
called Bowen, asking for an adventure story based on the war. The Dave Dawson series, also known as the War Adventure series, was the result. Bowen got to work immediately, and the first book, Dave Dawson At Dunkirk, was published in 1941. A total of 15 volumes were released between 1941 and 1946.
As of 1945, the series had sold over 2,000,000 copies. Bowen was earning 2 cents per copy sold, netting him nearly $10,000 a year. All volumes, except for the scarce final volume, were subsequently reprinted (with cheaper quality and prices) by Saalfield Publishers in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
.
Inspired by the success of the Dave Dawson books, Crown's competing publisher Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap is a United States book publisher founded in 1898.The company was purchased by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1982 and today is part of the British publishing conglomerate, Pearson PLC through its American subsidiary Penguin Group....
hired Bowen to write a similar series for them. The Red Randall series debuted in 1944, selling 200,000 copies its first year.
During this time, Bowen lived in Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton is a town nestled in the Norwalk River Valley in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It is located in Fairfield County. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.Located along...
, writing seven days a week, from 9 to 5, in an office that he rented over an old garage. He averaged 10,000 words per day, and could complete a novel in ten days. He also never revised his work, believing that any tampering with the story would ruin it.
After the war, Bowen turned to writing books aimed toward adolescent boys, on topics such as aviation, cars, and baseball. He also began writing books about horses under the pseudonym James Robert Richard. Most of the books he wrote during this period were published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard. Many of his baseball books were later reprinted by Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap
Grosset & Dunlap is a United States book publisher founded in 1898.The company was purchased by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1982 and today is part of the British publishing conglomerate, Pearson PLC through its American subsidiary Penguin Group....
in their series of "Famous Sports Stories." Most of his other books were published by Chilton, Whitman Publishing, Criterion.
Robert Sidney Bowen and his wife, Mary Ann, had three sons and one daughter, and, at the time of his death, eight grandchildren.
Dusty Ayres And His Battle Birds
| Date | Title |
|---|---|
| July 1934 | Black Lightning |
| August 1934 | Crimson Doom |
| September 1934 | Purple Tornado |
| October 1934 | The Screaming Eye |
| November 1934 | The Green Thunderbolt |
| December 1934 | The Red Destroyer |
| January 1935 | The White Death |
| February 1935 | The Black Avenger |
| March 1935 | The Silver Typhoon |
| April 1935 | The Troposphere F-S |
| May–June 1935 | The Blue Cyclone |
| July–August 1935 | The Telsa Raiders |
Dave Dawson War Adventure Series
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1941 | Dave Dawson at Dunkirk Dave Dawson at Dunkirk Dave Dawson at Dunkirk, published in 1941, is the first title in the Dave Dawson War Adventure Series by author R. Sidney Bowen.-Plot:The novel begins in Paris where Dave is preparing for a tour of the Maginot Line with his father, who is serving as an attache to the American embassy... |
| 1941 | Dave Dawson With The R.A.F. |
| 1941 | Dave Dawson in Libya Dave Dawson in Libya Dave Dawson in Libya is the third title in the Dave Dawson War Adventure series by author R. Sidney Bowen. The book debuted in 1941, and is set in Libya, following the war in North Africa.PlotThe plot begins on the Royal Navy carrier, H.M.S... |
| 1941 | Dave Dawson On Convoy Patrol |
| 1941 | Dave Dawson Flight Lieutenant |
| 1942 | Dave Dawson At Singapore |
| 1942 | Dave Dawson With The Pacific Fleet |
| 1942 | Dave Dawson With The Air Corps |
| 1942 | Dave Dawson With The Commandos |
| 1943 | Dave Dawson On The Russian Front |
| 1943 | Dave Dawson With The Flying Tigers |
| 1943 | Dave Dawson On Guadalcanal |
| 1944 | Dave Dawson At Casablanca |
| 1944 | Dave Dawson With The Eighth Air Force |
| 1946 | Dave Dawson At Truk |
Red Randall Series
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 1944 | Red Randall At Pearl Harbor |
| 1944 | Red Randall On Active Duty |
| 1944 | Red Randall Over Tokyo |
| 1944 | Red Randall At Midway |
| 1944 | Red Randall On New Guinea |
| 1945 | Red Randall In The Aleutians |
| 1945 | Red Randall In Burma |
| 1946 | Red Randall's One-Man War |
Using Real Name
| Year | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Flying From The Ground Up | McGraw |
| 1948 | The Winning Pitch | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1949 | Player, Manager | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1949 | Fourth Down | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1950 | Ball Hawk | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1950 | Blocking Back | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1951 | Hot Corner | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1951 | Touchdown Kid | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1952 | Canyon Fury | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1952 | Pitcher Of The Year | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1953 | Behind The Bat | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1954 | Infield Spark | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1954 | The Million-Dollar Fumble | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1955 | The Big Inning | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1955 | The Last White Line | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1956 | The 4th Out | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1957 | No Hitter | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1958 | The Big Hit | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1959 | Triple Play | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1960 | Hot Rod Angels | Chilton |
| 1960 | Pennant Fever | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1961 | Million-Dollar Rookie | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1961 | The Airport, Our Link To The Sky | Whitman |
| 1962 | Bat Boy | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1962 | Flight Into Danger | Chilton |
| 1962 | Wings For An Eagle | Chilton |
| 1963 | Perfect Game | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1963 | Dirt Track Danger | Doubleday |
| 1963 | They Found The Unknown: The Stories Of Nine Great Discoveries In The Field Of Medical Knowledge | Macrae |
| 1964 | Hot Corner Blues | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1964 | Hot Rod Rodeo | Criterion |
| 1965 | Rebel Rookie | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1965 | They Flew To Glory: The Story Of The Lafayette Flying Corps | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1966 | Hot Rod Patrol | Criterion |
| 1966 | Man On First | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1967 | Hot Rod Showdown | Criterion |
| 1967 | Lightning Southpaw | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1968 | Hot Rod Outlaws | Chilton |
| 1969 | Wipeout | Criterion |
| 1969 | Hawaii Five-O: Top Secret | Whitman |
| 1969 | Infield Flash | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1971 | Born To Fly | Criterion |
| 1973 | Hot Rod Doom | Criterion |
Using pseudonym James Robert Richard
| Year | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | The Club Team | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1952 | Fighting Halfback | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1953 | Quarterback, All-American | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1954 | Phantom Mustang | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1955 | The Purple Palomino | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1956 | The Appaloosa Curse | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1957 | Snow King, Lipizzan Horse | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1958 | Double M For Morgans | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |
| 1959 | Joker, The Polo Pony | Lothrop, Lee & Shepard |